Wood Veneer
Veneer wood is a quality wood, taken from the trunk of the tree by sawing, knife cutting or peeling and cut into very thin sheets. The thickness of a veneer sheet is between 0.5 and 2 millimeters.
By juxtaposing several sheets, it is possible to cover large areas with the same pattern. Yet each leaf is unique, precisely because of its origin: a real tree trunk. An origin which gives the veneer its authenticity and charm.
Wood Veneer Made Of
Wood Veneer is made of a tree trunk by peeling, sawing or knife cutting. This technique removes layer by layer, which is why a lot of material can be extracted from a single trunk. To ensure that it is of particularly high quality, only certain top quality trees are used.
How is Wood Veneer Made
As previously mentioned, wood veneer can be acquired through either unrolling the log or making precise cuts at the desired angle, depending on the desired design. These methods result in veneers of varying lengths and unique patterns.
Maple, beech, oak, ash, and walnut are the primary sources for it, though not all trees within this species are appropriate for veneer. The process of selecting logs with the correct color and wood composition to achieve the desired veneer appearance is still a time-consuming process. Each sheet of veneer is a distinct natural commodity with its own distinct appearance.
After identifying the appropriate tree, wooden leaves that are appropriate are obtained by sawing, knife cutting or peeling. The veneers, which are typically of thickness ranging from 0.3 to 6 mm undergo a drying procedure before being sized as required. Subsequently, the material is affixed onto wood-based materials to accomplish the surface finishing.
At the beginning of the process of creating wood veneer, the tree trunk is first deprived of its bark, and then subjected to steaming in hot water.
There are two results of this process: the wood becomes more pliable, enabling a seamless cut, and the color of the veneer is impacted by the steam.
During steaming, beech wood which was originally white acquires a pinkish hue. The drying period can range from one to fourteen days, depending on the wood type and desired shade. The veneer sheets, which are thin, are subsequently sawn and stripped before being dried and pressed. This process necessitates a great deal of expertise. Any mistake could result in the leaves being too waterless and breakable, or too wet and susceptible to mold.
Wood Veneer Usage
Interior applications such as residential projects, hotel projects, and offices primarily utilize wood veneer.
Furthermore, wood veneer has the ability to be converted into a plethora of products, including but not limited to veneered parquet floors, flexible wood veneer sheets, veneered panels, and wall coverings, which contributes to its capacity to impart a distinctive personality to any interior space.
Its application is diverse in the realm of decoration, ranging from furniture, doors, kitchens, parquets, coatings, to marquetry.
Wood veneers have not been considered avant-garde in interior design, but they are becoming increasingly popular. Manufacturers have recognized the demand for natural-looking materials and are updating their product catalogs accordingly to provide the warmth and authenticity that only natural products can offer.
Wood veneers have infinite possibilities in interior design, allowing for a variety of unique and original applications.
- In furniture: wood veneers are widely used in cabinetmaking, covering or decorating furniture. Veneers with very irregular colors or shapes are highly valued for this purpose.
- In cladding: wood veneers are frequently used in wall cladding, as they are a very practical solution to provide the warmth and natural beauty of wood without having to change the material of which a wall is made
- On the floor: as in wall cladding, wood veneers are used to cover the slats that make up the floor of a room, creating the false illusion that this room has a wooden floor without changing the original floor.
- In carpentry: wood veneers can be used to decorate a myriad of objects, whether or not they are made of wood, such as doors, flashing, sculptures, instruments …
- In the art of inlaid: this artisan technique consists of making a concrete decorative design by covering floors, walls, furniture or other objects with pieces cut from different materials, in this case wood veneer.
Prices of Real Wood Veneer
The price of authentic wood veneer changes based on the material used as a base: Chipboard is less expensive while fiberboard is a superior quality and pricier. Furthermore, the variety of wood and depth of the veneer have a significant impact. A greater thickness commands a higher cost.
Typically, for areas measuring less than 1 millimeter, the cost per square meter is in the single-digit range. The cost of furniture comprising actual wood veneer initiates from the mid three-figure price bracket.
The cost of wood veneer is contingent upon two primary factors: the type of wood utilized and its grade, which is established based on the degree of consistency exhibited by the veneer sheet ranging from “exceptional” (minimal knots or patterns) to “Classic.”
When considering the cost of a wooden veneer sheet, it is important to assess it in terms of price per square meter. However, this pricing method may not be practical for someone who only needs to cover a small surface area, as they are more likely to choose a veneer sheet that closely matches the dimensions of their project.
Types of Wood Veneer
Commonly used types of wood for furniture featuring veneer include maple, oak, and mahogany. The veneers are quite thin and are securely bonded to the backing plates to prevent warping, as they do not consist of solid wood.
By arranging the wooden sheets on the carrier plate in a particular manner, it is possible to create an uninterrupted grain, resulting in veneer furniture appearing as if it is crafted from a single piece. Regardless of the wood species employed in creating the veneer, furniture that has veneer surfaces is appreciably less weighty than its solid wood counterpart.
Here are the principal varieties of wood veneer:
- Standard: those that are taken from the standard or normal log or log.
- Rarities: those that are extracted from special parts of the tree or from trees with singularities, presenting unique veins and colors.
They can be categorized based on their color.
- Light veneer: which comes from light woods such as birch, ash, maple, sycamore, etc.
- Dark veneer: which comes from dark woods such as etimoe, walnut, wenge, zebrano, etc.
Comparing Furniture made of Wood Veneer and Solid Wood
When trying to decide between authentic wooden furniture and furniture featuring a wood veneer coating, it is crucial to contemplate a variety of factors beyond the cost. Below are outlined some advantages and disadvantages of each material. It is imperative to assess which factors would be most advantageous to your specific needs while in the process of purchasing new furnishings.
Solid wood offers the benefit of being highly resilient and relatively simple to mend. It can withstand various forms of damage, such as scratches, water spots, dents, and stains. For the most part, you can address these issues by gently rubbing the affected area with fine sandpaper.
Drawbacks of Solid Wood: Authentic wood furniture has the tendency to split owing to its natural composition. Although this is likely to occur under severe circumstances, the furniture can undergo expansion and contraction which can lead to splitting along the grain.
To avoid splintering, it is best to keep solid wood furniture away from intense sunlight and direct heat. The use of waxes and oils can aid in extending the lifespan of authentic wood furniture, but requires frequent upkeep. Solid wood is vulnerable to alterations in the environment. Variations in temperature may result in the warping and bending of surfaces.
Advantages of Wood Veneer Furniture: Wood veneer is actually far better for the environment. As it’s solid wood sliced into multiple pieces, it means much more can be made out of one piece of wood. Meaning less trees, which is always a good thing. There are also lots of design possibilities for wood veneer furniture.
Due to its thinness in comparison to solid wood, veneer enables the creation of designs and patterns that solid wood cannot accomplish. Additionally, high-grade veneer furniture is exceptionally stable since the surface is affixed to a durable substrate, preventing deformation or breakage.
Wood veneer furniture has its drawbacks, as it may blister, delaminate, or peel if not handled with care. Yet, the solution lies in taking precautionary measures, such as using mats during meals and performing regular, light cleaning on your wood veneer furniture.
Clean A Wood Veneer: The Do’s and Don’ts
To clean a surface made of wood veneer, such as a sideboard or dining table, it is recommended to use a soft, damp cloth that is free of lint. For optimal outcomes, wipe the cloth in the direction of the wood grain. For tougher stains caused by food or beverages, add a small amount of gentle dish soap to the cloth and again, wipe along the direction of the wood grain.
Regularly dust your wood veneer using a soft, dry cloth to maintain its appearance. In case you need a quick, surface-level cleaning, lightly spray a non-ammonia glass cleaner on the wood veneer and wipe it with a paper towel.
To prevent cloudiness and unevenness on your veneer furniture, refrain from using any furniture polish that has wax or silicone. Wax can accumulate on the furniture, while silicone tends to leave a hideous white residue that can harm the finish.
Make sure to verify the contents of the cleaning solution you are applying for cautionary reasons. It is common knowledge that you should avoid using rough cleaning agents or fabrics on a wood veneer. It is best to use gentle cleaning agents and soft cloths to prevent any harm to the surface.
Maintenance of Your Wood Veneer
Do not worry if your veneer furniture has minor blemishes as they can often be fixed using DIY furniture restoration methods. Prior to beginning any repairs, make sure you clean your veneer with a gentle soap and water in order to eliminate any dirt, wax, or silicone residue.
To conceal minor blemishes and scratches on wooden furniture, apply a premium furniture polish. Utilize a gentle cloth to rub the polish onto the affected area until the imperfection is camouflaged.
There are numerous furniture repair kits available to fill and color any deeper scratches or gouges; however, it is important to carefully examine the manufacturer’s instructions and conduct a small patch test beforehand.
To take care of your wood veneer, you must be mindful of three primary factors (that should be avoided): sunlight, heat, and moisture.
To prevent sun damage to your wood veneer furniture, avoid placing it in areas with direct sunlight or in front of windows where it can be exposed for long periods of time, as this can cause the color to fade.
If the design or layout of your room does not permit it, you can still safeguard your veneer through the use of blinds, curtains, or UV screens and films.
To prevent moisture damage, be sure to promptly clean any spills of liquid on your wood veneer dining table. Lingering liquids can penetrate the veneer and undermine the adhesive on the surface. Avoid using a sponge, which can distribute the liquid. Opt for a clean dish towel or paper towel instead.
It’s best to use coasters under glasses to avoid water rings from drinks. It may seem minor, but water rings can cause damage to veneer tables by soaking the finish and changing its opacity. Avoid any damage by using mats and coasters each meal time.
To prevent damage caused by heat, make sure you take precautions in safeguarding your wood veneer table top. The glue that holds the veneer to the bottom surface can weaken over time due to the high temperature or steam from hot plates.
Protecting your wooden veneer table surface is simple with the use of placemats and coasters during every mealtime. It’s important to avoid placing hot plates and dishes directly onto the table, as this can cause damage. To prevent this, use a heatproof mat to safeguard the surface.
A helpful suggestion is to use trivets beneath hot serving bowls to avoid damaging the veneer due to the excess heat. To ensure better protection from both high temperatures and scratches, verify that your trivets feature felt bottoms.
